Pickleball
Pickleball & the City of Kelowna
Enjoy indoor and outdoor pickleball at various locations throughout Kelowna. All outdoor City courts are available free of charge on a first come first served basis, subject to rules posted at individual courts. Specified courts may be closed to public use due to Pickleball Kelowna Club allocated time, City Programming, Tournaments or Maintenance. Pickleball facility guidelines are posted onsite at the main entrance gates of the outdoor pickleball courts.
Register online, by phone (250-469-8800) or in person at Parkinson Recreation Centre (1800 Parkinson Way).
Pickleball Court Rules
- Please do not begin play until 8am daily for noise management.
- When players are waiting for a court, play is limited to one (1) game to eleven (11).
- In order to obtain a court, please place your paddles in the paddle holder at the entrance to the courts.
- Please do not interfere with play on adjoining court by walking across while play is in progress.
- Paid private lessons are not permitted.
Locations
Outdoor pickleball courts are available for casual use at the following spaces:
- Parkinson Recreation Centre (some restrictions), Blair Pond Park, Cross Glen Park, Edith Gay Park, Gertsmar Park, Knox Mountain Park, Quilchena Park and Rutland Recreation Park.
- For player safety and consideration to neighbours, PRC pickleball courts are locked daily from dusk to 8 a.m.
Parkinson Recreation Centre 2024 Outdoor Pickleball Court Schedule
Programs - City of Kelowna
Indoor Pickleball programs offered each season can be found in the seasonal Activity & Program Guide at kelowna.ca/recreation.
- Learn to Play programs - for new/beginner players
- Register & Play programs - 2.0-3.25 / 3.0-4.0 / 3.5-3.75 / 4.0 Plus
- Why have Ratings? Ratings provide a means to compare the skill levels of competitors.
- They may be used to determine a player’s skill level for tournament entry, club league play and recreational play where, for example, there are separate courts for different skill levels.
- Why have Ratings? Ratings provide a means to compare the skill levels of competitors.
2-Digit Skill Ratings
These are the International Federation of Pickleball rating definitions used for the 2-digit rating system used by Pickleball BC / Pickleball Canada:
This player is just starting to play pickleball and has no other sports background. Minimal understanding of rules of the game.
This player has limited experience. Can sustain a short rally with players of equal ability. Basic ability to keep score.
FOREHAND
Ability to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
BACKHAND
Avoids using a backhand. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
SERVE / RETURN
Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks depth, direction, and consistency.
DINK
Not able to consistently sustain a dink rally. Not yet developed the ability to control this shot.
3RD SHOT
Generally hits a medium paced ball with little direction.
VOLLEY
Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks direction/inconsistent.
STRATEGY
Understands fundamentals. Is learning proper court positioning. Knows the fundamental rules and can keep score and is now playing tournaments.
FOREHAND
Improved stroke development with moderate level of shot control.
BACKHAND
Learning stroke form and starting to develop consistency but will avoid if possible.
SERVE / RETURN
Consistently gets serve/return in play with limited ability to control depth.
DINK
Increased consistency, with limited ability to control height/depth. Sustains medium length rallies. Starting to understand variations of pace.
3RD SHOT
Developing the drop shot in a way to get to the net..
VOLLEY
Is able to volley medium paced shots thereby developing control.
STRATEGY
Moves quickly towards the non-volley zone (NVZ) when opportunity is there. Acknowledges difference between hard game and soft game and is starting to vary own game during recreation and tournament play. Can sustain short rallies. Is learning proper court positioning. Basic knowledge of stacking and understands situations where it can be effective.
FOREHAND
Consistently hits with depth and control. Is still perfecting shot selection and timing.
BACKHAND
Has improved stroke mechanics and has moderate success at hitting a backhand consistently.
SERVE / RETURN
Places a high majority of serves/returns with varying depth and speed.
DINK
Increased consistency with moderate ability to control height/depth. May end dink rally too soon due to lack of patience. Is beginning to understand difference between attackable balls and those that are not.
3RD SHOT
Selectively mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage with inconsistent results.
VOLLEY
Able to volley a variety of shots at different speeds. Is developing consistency and control. Starting to understand the block/re-set volley.
STRATEGY
Aware of partner’s position on the court and is able to move as a team. Demonstrates ability to change direction in an offensive manner. Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game. Has a moderate number of unforced errors per game. Solid understanding of stacking and when and how it could be used in match play. Beginning to identify opponents weaknesses and attempts to formulate game plan to attack weaknesses. Beginning to seek out more competitive play.
FOREHAND | BACKHAND | SERVE / RETURN
Hits all shot types at a high level of ability from both the forehand and backhand sides including: touch, spin, and pace with control to set up offensive situations. Has developed good touch from all court positions. Has developed a very high level of variety, depth, and pace of serves.
DINK
Mastered the dink and drop shots. Ability to move opponents with shot placements. Exhibits patience during rallies with the ability to create an opportunity to attack utilizing the dink. Increased ability to change the pace of dinks strategically.
3RD SHOT
Mastered the 3rd shot choices and strategies to create opportunities for winning points. Able to drop and drive ball from both the forehand and backhand side with high level of consistency.
VOLLEY
Able to block hard volleys directed at them and consistently drop them into the NVZ. Places overheads with ease for winners. Able to volley shots toward opponents feet consistently. Comfortable with swinging volley in both initiating and ability to attack back or neutralize return.
STRATEGY
Mastered pickleball strategies and can vary strategies and styles of play in competitive or tournament matches. Is successful at turning defensive shots into offensive shots. Has efficient footwork and effective use of weight transfer for improved quickness on the court. Easily and quickly adjusts style of play and game plan according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and court position. Rarely makes unforced errors.
This player is a top caliber player. Performance and tournament wins speak for this player's ability to consistently perform at a high level.
